2012 Hyundai Azera

Another uninspired Hyundai turns zesty.

With Hyundai’s Accent, Elantra, and Sonata all benefiting from extroverted redesigns within the last year, the Azera looked especially out of place—even more than it normally does, what with being wedged uncomfortably between the trendy Sonata and the well-appointed Genesis sedan. Introduced at the Los Angeles auto show, the revamped Azera has much to celebrate, and looks perfectly at home in Hyundai’s lineup. Its name, front-drive layout, and the engine basics are about the only things that carry over from the previous model.

Riding on a completely different platform than before, the Azera has 2.6 inches of additional wheelbase now, for a total of 112. Overall length stays the same, at 193.3 inches, and width increases 0.4 inch. Underneath the hood of every Azera is a revised 3.3-liter V-6 that now includes direct fuel injection. With the higher compression ratio (11.5:1 compared to 10.4:1) enabled by DI, the 3.3 produces 293 hp and 255 lb-ft of torque—increases of 33 and 22, and 10 hp more than last year’s 3.8-liter V-6—while achieving a projected 20 mpg city and 29 mpg highway (the former is the same, the latter is a 1-mpg increase). A six-speed automatic transmission is standard.

It wouldn’t be a modern Hyundai if the list of other standard equipment didn’t include a few items that raise the brow. Base models roll on 18-inch wheels and include nine airbags, navigation, a rearview camera, leather seats that are heated in the front and outboard rear, two-zone automatic climate control, a cooled glove box, Hyundai’s Blue Link telematics system, and an abundance of safety tech. The optional Technology package adds 19-inch wheels, a panoramic sunroof, ventilated front seats, and a 12-speaker, 550-watt Infinity sound system, among other bits.

While all of the standard features make for easy marketing, the Azera’s striking new sheetmetal and interior should be enough to lure customers into the showroom. Beginning with a grille that is said to be inspired by “great wings,” the car’s aggressive nose is now as sleek as any other Hyundai’s. Its greenhouse has a sportback-like slope, while the sharp crease sprouting from the rear door creates a defined shoulder that flows back into the peak of the decklid. LED taillights and the integrated dual exhaust finishers give the Azera’s rump a clean and refined look.

Inside, you’ll find the now-familiar Hyundai design, with a dash layout that swoops in from the door panels and down the center stack. The show car we sat in had leather of vastly superior quality than the old Azera’s, and the skin will be available in three colors including Camel, Graphite Black, and Chestnut Brown. Buyers will have the choice of eight exterior colors, including pearl and metallic finishes.

The Azera will go on sale in the first quarter of 2012; pricing has yet to be disclosed. If Hyundai continues with its current strategy, you can bet that we won’t see too much of an increase from the previous car’s $26,270 entry-level sticker. Now, if only the Genesis and Equus didn’t look so dowdy.